Bulldog in hospital after ‘weird’ sin-bin confusion

Sutton was sent to hospital after complaining of pain in his neck while in the sheds.

Milne was originally put on report, however after more than two minutes of review from the Bunker, the Rabbitohs utility was sin-binned. 

“It was a bit weird because it first went on report but then there was time away and then Sutton was obviously injured and there was care going on and it was looked at again and he (Milne) was sin-binned,” Queensland great Cooper Cronk said on Fox League at half-time.

“It wasn’t the smoothest result but they got there in the end, couple of mitigating circumstances but right decision.”

NRL Highlights: Rabbitohs v Bulldogs – Round 19

Post-game coach Cameron Ciraldo gave an update on Sutton.

“He’s at hospital now, we just got sent a photo of him, he seems in good spirits, we’ve got some people there with him and he’s getting the best of care,” he said.

“Haven’t spoke to him yet but it’s obviously pretty scary seeing him go off like that, you never want to see that so hopefully gets the all clear and he’s alright but not sure yet.”

Opposition coach Jason Demetriou wasn’t happy with the sin binning.

“Anyone who watches that can clearly see the injury doesn’t come from Taane Milne,” he said.

“I’ve got my contacts in so I’m pretty sure I can see it but there’s no way that comes from Taane Milne. It’s an accidental contact as he ducks his head and you can clearly see that, it’s a neck injury, but for some reason we get a bloke in the sin bin because a guy stayed down injured.

“It’s unfortunate that he’s injured and I hope he’s OK.”

The Rabbitohs coach then doubled down, criticising the decision making that resulted in a significant delay before Milne was sent from the field.

“We’re just finding things to do, we’re finding ways to get people that aren’t even on the field to make big decisions,” Demetriou said.

“The live decision was what it was but for whatever reason we want to look at it again and again and again; slow it down and manufacture an opinion and send the bloke in the sin bin … I’d be very surprised if Taane’s got anything to answer.”

The concerning injury came on a phenomenal night for the Bulldogs, but it wasn’t off to the best start when Tom Burgess went over early.

Canterbury winger Blake Wilson grabbed a double off the back of some Matt Burton class, who was notably better with new recruit Toby Sexton at halfback.

A laser in the eye of Matt Burton when converting the first try also resulted in a spectator being ejected from the field.

Reed Mahoney then made it 18-6 inside the first 16 minutes.

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A try to Rabbitohs youngster Tyrone Munro moments later made it closer before Jacob Kiraz went over in the 25th minute. The Bulldogs held 24-12 at half-time.

Both sides struggled to hit the scoreboard in the second half with Ethan Quai-Ward scoring on debut for the Bulldogs in the 55th minute.

The Rabbitohs then came to life with Blake Taafe going over for a double to make it 30-22 with 13 minutes left.

Wilson scored his hat-trick with 10 minutes to go, however Souths weren’t done.

Tyrone Munro finished his second before Tallis Duncan went the length of the field off the kick off with the score now 36-32 with three minutes on the clock.

Amazingly, Sexton stepped up for the Bulldogs, pouncing on a grubber close to the try line from Souths in the final minute to stop any chance of a comeback.

Next week the Bulldogs will play Brisbane on Saturday while Souths have the bye.

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